The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 98

Author: Durant, Pliny A. [from old catalog]; Beers, W. H., & co., Chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1254

USA > Ohio > Union County > The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record; > Part 98

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

" On March 24, 1826. the Trustees of Union Township met for the pur- pose of dividing the township into school districts, and have divided the town- ship into six districts: No. 1, embraced the following heads of families: William Gabriel, Sylvester Phelps, William Porter, John Mitchel, Samuel Jamison, B. H. Lathrop, Elias Robinson, Harvey Burnham, Nathaniel Kazer, James Riddle, Jacob Fairfield, David Burnham, Nancy Bowen, Warren Rose, Hezekiah Kennedy, Edward Moran, William Impson, Richard Gabriel, John F. Gabriel, William Gabriel, Sr .. George Reed, Alden Andrews, Edward Holy- cross, Daniel Andrews, Robert Johnson, William Snodgrass, David C. Winget, Jason Rice, Reuben P. Mann, Samuel Kazer, Calvin Winget and John Por- ter, Jr .- 32 families.

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

" No. 2, James Robinson, Hugh Porter, Samuel Reed, John Holycross, Widow Wood, John Porter, Robert Snodgrass, Andrew Gill, Thomas Reed, James Reed, James Snodgrass, John Parthemore, Robert Snodgrass, Jr., Roger Moody, Jacob Parthemore, Samuel Reed (1st), John Kent, Widow Craw- ford, John Moody and H --- 20 families.

" No. 3, Samuel Reed, David Witter. Benjamin Harrington, George Woodward, Jonathan Locke, Widow Kinion, Caleb Morse, John Irwin, Esq., Benjamin Hopkins, Benjamin Lyon, Elisha Reynolds, J. C. Miller, Moses Fullington, Asa Plummer, Thomas Dunton, Joseph Plummer, Jeremiah Dee, John Williams and Samuel Colver-19 families.

" No. 4, Alexander Reed, Margaret Reed, Mrs Hibbard, James Coolidge, Thomas McDonald, John Coolidge, Henry Vangordon, Vandever Reed, Mary Peters, Eleanor Stewart, Increas Mather, Daniel Alden, Jonathan Beerwell, S. Mather, John Furrow, David Furrow, John P. Reed and Alford Hale-18 families.

" No. 5, Samuel T. Hovey, Luther Wood, Nicholas Hathaway, Widow Comer, Eliphas Burnham, Jacob Burnham, William Gorton, Benjamin Gorton, Martin Balou, John Locke, David Harrington, Rhoda Stokes, William Doug- lass, E. Martin, J. Vest, J. Cohorn, C. Bates, J. Locke, J. Dee, and J. Mc- Laughlin -- 20 families.

" No. 6, Joseph Morse, John Kennedy, Widow Dodge, L. Tarpenning, P. Tarpenning, Michael S. Wood, Uriah Wood, Russell Bigelow, Eliphas Bige- low, Susanna Sabine, Harriet Rice, Stephen Jackson, Joseph Whelpley, James Jackson, Moses Patrick, Widow Walton, William Irwin and Charles Reynolds -20 families. The schools were now thoroughly established with each and every district clearly defined. These districts have since been changed, per- haps several times, and their number increased, until the township is now divided into ten sub-school districts, as follows, with the enumeration of 1882:

Subdistrict No. 1-Males, 65; females, 49; total, 114, white. Subdistrict No. 2-Males, 31; females, 35; total, 66, white. Subdistrict No. 3-Males, 17; females, 14; total, 31, white. Subdistrict No. 4-Males, 12; females, 8; total, 20, white. Subdistrict No. 5-Males, 7; females, 8; total, 15, white. Subdistrict No. 6-Males, 10; females, 9; total, 19, white. Subdistrict No. 7, Males, 10; females, 17; total, 27, white. Subdistrict No. 8-Males, 35; females, 32; total, 67, white. Subdistrict No. 9-Males, 31; females, 30; total, 61, white. Subdistrict No. 10-Males, 12; females, 10; total, 22, white. Total males, 230: total females, 212; grand total, 442.

There are 14 male and 6 female colored children; making a total number of 462 children.

The ten schoolhouses contain fourteen rooms. Average wages of teachers: Males, $44; females, $31.

Average number of weeks schools are in session, 25.

Total valuation of school property, $21,300.

REPORT OF BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Balance on hand September 1, 1881 . $ 3,630 10

State tax .. 693 00

Irreducible school funds .. 45 20

Township tax for schools, and schoolhouse purposes 7,664 73

Amount received from sale of bonds .. 2,500 36

Fines, licenses, tuition of non-resident pupils, etc. 152 57

Total. $14,685 96

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UNION TOWNSHIP.

EXPENDITURES.

Whole amount paid teachers in common schools. $ 4,275 00 Whole amount paid for fuel and other contingent expenses .. 5,772 88

Total. $10,047 88

Balance on hand September 1, 1882. $ 4,638 08

In 1880-81, there was erected at Milford Center a large brick schoolhouse, with slate roof, containing four rooms, and nicely furnished throughout, at a cost of about $10,000. Three teachers are here employed, occupying three rooms; the fourth room being reserved for a high school. Also, at Irwin, a fine brick house, with slate roof, has been erected, in gothic style, finely fur- nished, and costing over $6.000.

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.

Presbyterian Church, Milford Center .- The tirst religious organization in what is now Union Township, was formed by the Presbyterians, one and one- half miles east of the present village of Milford Center, either late in 1807 or very early in 1808. It was called Upper Liberty, and was organized out of a portion of the materials from a former church which had been formed at North Liberty, in what is now Darby Township, in the fall of 1800. The formation of the church at Upper Liberty occurred at the house of Samuel Read Ist, a committee having been sent for the purpose by the Presbytery; said committee was composed of Rev. James Hoge, D. D., and one of his Elders. Mr. Hoge was made pastor of the church at Franklinton (now Columbus), Ohio, having been installed June 11, 1SOS. The original members were twenty in number,

as follows: David and Martha Mitchell, Samuel Mitchell, Sr., and wife, Samuel and Jane Kirkpatrick, Samuel Reed, 2d, and Anna, his wife, David and Elizabeth Carey, Robert and Jane Snodgrass, Samuel Reed 1st, and Eliza- beth, his wife, William and Catharine Gabriel, David and Margaret Reed, and the aged and widowed mothers of Samuel Reed, 1st and 2d. Samuel Reed 1st and Samuel Kirkpatrick were elected Elders, and inducted into office. Rev. Samuel Woods was installed pastor June 15, 1808, and remained in that connection till his death, April 27, 1815, in the thirty-sixth year of his age. He was born in Cumberland County, Penn., January 15, 1779, and was a graduate of Dickinson College, at Carlisle, Penn. In 1809, this society erected a rude log church, twenty-four feet square, which stood at the site mentioned, between the road and the old burying ground. About 1822-23, an addition eighteen feet wide was built on one side of the old church, and the building as thus enlarged was used until 1834, when a brick church was erected at Mil- ford Center, and the congregation removed to that place. The brick church was 44x50 feet in dimensions, and cost about $1,500. It was occupied until the fall of 1869, when the society obtained the use, for one-half the time, of the Methodist Episcopal Church building at Milford Center. This arrange- ment continued for eighteen months, during which time the old building was torn down, the ground cleared off and the foundation laid for the present commodious building. The new structure was dedicated, free from debt, March 26, 1871, the pastor, Rev. William G. March, being assisted in the ded- icatory exercises by Rev. A. E. Thomson (a former pastor) and Rev. Hugh R. Price, since deceased. Mr. Price preached the dedicatory sermon. The build- ing cost about $4,500.

April 8, 1838, after its removal from the old location, the name of the church was changed from Upper Liberty to Milford Center. When it was first organized, it was a part of the Presbytery of Washington, Ky., which included all that part of Ohio west of the Scioto River. It afterward belonged to Co- lumbus Presbytery, and was made a part of Marion Presbytery in 1835, when the latter was constituted. Its pastors have been as follows:

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

Rev. Samuel Woods, 1808 to 1815. Revs. William Dickey, Archibald Steele, James Hoge, D. D., Elder Hughes, and some others, occasionally sup- plied this church until 1821, in which year Rev. James Robinson, "the ances- tor and kindred of a large tribe of Presbyterian Robinsons," was installed pastor. continuing in that relation until the fall meeting of the Columbus Presbytery, in 1828. He was a native of Washington County, Penn .. a grad- uate of Jefferson College, and was ordained in 1808-09. He removed to Ohio in 1808, and was one of the original members of Lancaster Presbytery, preaching the opening sermon on the day it was constituted at Lancaster, April 5, 1809. After filling numerous responsible positions in the State, fitted to his calling, he was finally taken to rest, April 22. 1847. His successor at Upper Liberty was Rev. Darius C. Allen, who came as a missionary to Madison and Union Counties in 1829, and served as stated supply of this church until the spring of 1831, when he removed to London, Madison County, and became pastor of the church at that place. Following are some extracts from his jour- nal, while laboring in Union County:

"Sabbath, September 13, 1829-Administered the Lord's Supper, in Upper Liberty, to about seventy-five persons. Two new members received at this time. The house was full; some unable to get seats.

"September 19-To-day, a man was thrown from his horse while running a race near Milford, in this county, and nearly killed.

" September 21 -The man who was thrown from his horse on Saturday is still alive, but very much injured. This man is about forty-five or fifty years of age, and notoriously wicked. As he was mounting his horse for the race, he uttered a speech too shocking for repetiton. He started; his horse soon ran out of the path, and threw him against a tree. He was taken up nearly life- less. Medical aid was soon present, and, while the physician was bleeding him, he cursed him and inquired if he was going to kill him. * Although a pro- fessed Universalist, he called mightily upon the Lord for mercy. The horse race was on a muster day. The Lord hasten on the day when these silly, unprof- itable musters shall be abandoned, and when the prediction shall be fulfilled, ' Nations shall learn war no more.' There have been several deaths by racing, within the bounds of my labors, in the course of a few years past ..

"October 26-Attended a meeting of the congregation of Upper Liberty, to consult about erecting a new meeting house. They agreed on building, near to Milford village, a frame house, 35x45 without galleries, according to a plan exhibited. A subscription paper has since been drawn up, and about $200 subscribed .¡

" February 24, 1830-At night, I preached at Milford Center, on the subject of Sunday schools. Pretty good number out. Obtained a Superintend- ent and two female teachers, and appointed a time for the school to com- mence. Perhaps a school may begin soon. Also, proposed to preach to the people next week on the subject of temperance, and to present to them infor- mation relative to the good cause, not because they are very intemperate, as a village, but because many of them are temperate, and are the very kind of peo ple who ought to co-operate in temperate movements."

Rev. Benjamin Dolbear succeeded Mr. Allen, having been installed pastor of the churches of Upper and Lower Liberty in 1832. He also preached oc- casionally in Marysville, for two or three years. He was a native of Vermont, in which State he was educated, and preached for a few years in the Congre- gational Church. His pastorate at Upper Liberty, or Milford Center, contin- t

* Little wonder he made the inquiry, for the ancient custom of bleeding a min under treatment for almos any ill, or in case of accident, was nearly a resort to barbarism.

+ Ax has been seen, the house at Milford Center was not occupied until 1834, and it was built ou a larger scale than the one proposed at the meeting attended by Mr. Allen.

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UNION TOWNSHIP.

ued " till the stormy times of 1837-38, when he went with the N. S. branch, while the church almost unanimously adhered to the O. S. party." Mr Dol- bear married a daughter of Rev. Samuel Woods. His death occurred at Milford Center May 28, 1842, when he was but forty-two years of age. His successor in the pastorate of this church was Rev. William M. Galbreath, a native of Maryland, who was installed at Milford Center June 19, 1839, and at Lower Liberty October 7, 1839. His connection with the latter was dis- solved April 18, 1848, and with Milford Center about the same time. For nearly a year after he left, the pulpit was only occasionally supplied, but in 1849, Rev. James Pelan was installed pastor; his labors continued until the fall of 1852. He went subsequently to Alabama, and from the fact that he was a Northerner, in the beginning of the war of the rebellion, he was in- humanly murdered by a gang of rebel cut-throats, at his own house. Revs. John Miller, of West Virginia, David Irwin, and James A. Stirrat supplied this church at various times until 1854, when Rev. Chester H. Perkins, a native of Madison County, Ohio, became supply, and he was installed as pastor May 31, 1855. In May, 1859, this relationship was dissolved with the view of his taking charge of the Delaware Female College. He subsequently ministered to the wants of other churches, and died October 17, 1874, in the fifty-third year of his age. After his removal, the church at Milford Center was supplied by Revs. Reuben Hahn, Andrew W. Boyd and Albert E. Thomson, the latter be- coming stated supply July 26, 1860, and pastor in September, 1861. He re- signed his charge at Milford in 1865, having been chosen Superintendent of the public schools at Marysville, where he was also pastor of the Presbyterian Church. He finally removed to Indiana, in the fall of 1874. Rev. John Fitch next supplied the church at Milford Center for a few months, and in October, 1867, Rev. William G. March visited the place. He began to supply this place and Marysville in January, 1868, and was installed pastor of both churches on the 18th of June following. Mr. March was a native of Colum- biana County, Ohio, and a graduate of Jefferson College in 1846. He contin- ued as pastor of these two churches until 1878, from which date Rev. N. K. Crow and others served as supply ministers until January 1, 1882, when Rev. W. H. McMeen became the pastor, and is now serving in that capacity.

The Ruling Elders of this church. from its organization to the present, have been Samuel Reed Ist and Samuel Kirkpatrick, David Mitchell, Richard Gabriel, William Gabriel, Sr , James H. Gill. John W. Robinson, Daniel Coe, John Powers, William B. Irwin, John S. Irwin, James R. Snodgrass, Moses Coe, Dixon Mitchell, A. M. Gill, S. R. Harbert, William Porter, James Martin, George Reed and D. Mitchell Robinson.

In 1881, the church was repaired, and refitted with elegant walnut pews, the ceilings finely frescoed, and a new pulpit and new furniture entire, placed in it at a cost of about $1,100. It is heated by a furnace, and is one of the neatest and most substantial church edifices in the county, outside of Marys- ville.

Methodist Episcopal Church at Milford Center. - In 1831. Rev. Thomas Simms organized a class at the house of Andrew Keyes, with the following members: Ebenezer Mather and wife, Jason Rice and wife, Mrs. Nancy Bowen, Mrs. Mary Monroe, Mrs. Jane Parkison, Mrs. Patty Kennedy, and a few others whose names are not now remembered. They held services in pri- vate houses and the schoolhouse till about 1835, when money was raised by subscription, and a small frame house, about 36x30 feet, was erected by An- drew Keyes, the same being dedicated in that year. This house served the people until 1863, when the present brick edifice was erected on the site of the old house, at a cost of about $2,400. The house was dedicated on Sunday

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

morning, August 2. 1863, at which time $622 were subscribed, which paid all indebtedness and left money enough to incluse and ornament the grounds. Rev. J. Trimble preached the dedicatory sermon. This house is a good, sub stantial building, well finished, and has furnished the society a commodious and pleasant place of worship to the present time. The ministers of this church have been as follows: Rev. Thomas Simms, Rev. D. D. Davidson, Rev. William Morrow, Rev. Michael Marley, Rev. Harvey Camp, Rev. Riley, Rev. Lovett Taft, Rev. Martindale. Rev. J. S. Adams, Rev. David Mann. Rev. G. G. West, Rev. Henry Horton, Rev. Longman, Revs. Lowe and Slocum. Rev. F. Lewis, Rev. Westervelt, Rev. Wolf. Rev. Charington. Rev. J. S. Adams, Rev. William Lewis. Rev. Callahan, Rev. Wakefield and Rev. Nay- lor

Some of the Class Leaders have been as follows: Andrew Keyes, Alexan- der Smith, William Stranahan, P. W. Alden, Henry Neal, George P. Morrow, Dr. R. P. Mann, John Parkison, William Stage and A. J. Moore.

First Baptist Church, Milford Center, was organized May 12, 1855, with the following constituent members: Elijah Witter and wife, Joseph Halte- man and wife, John S. Fulton and wife, Lucy A. Lucas, Horace Andrews and Thomas Andrews, with Elijah Witter as Deacon, and Joseph Halteman as Clerk. Trustees, Elijah Witter, James Simpson, Joseph Halteman and Horace Andrews. The following have been pastors of the church: Revs. James Simp- son, A. J. Wyant, H. H. Witter, Gray D. Bryant, John Wright, H. H. Dun- away, W. N. Bean and Rev. H. P. Clark, who is the present minister. Trust- ees, E. Witter, L. P. Monroe and John McClimans; Deacons, E. Witter and L. P. Monroe; Clerk, Eli Gabriel. In 1856, they erected their present church edifice. It is a good frame building, 30x40 feet, with a vestibule in front, 8x20 feet; making the entire length 48 feet. Entire cost, about $1,600.

Christian Church, Union Township. - It is believed this church was or- ganized in the spring of 1818 with the following constituent members. viz. : Nicholas Hathaway, Elisha Reynolds, Anson Howard, Joseph Johnson, Jacob Burnham, Benjamin Harrington, Darius Burnham, Reuben Hammond, Alex- andre Mc Williams, Sophia Reynolds, Olive Howard, Lydia Johnson, Betsey Harrington, Lydia Sibley, Lucretia Burnham, Betsey Burnham, Betsey Ham- mond and Rosetta Smith. For several years, they held their services in log schoolhouses and at private houses, till their congregations became too large to be accommodated in those small houses, and they finally resolved to erect a house for church purposes. About 1829-30, the present brick house was erected, which was one of the first brick buildings in this vicinity, and it is believed that Elder Fuson was the first minister to preach in the new church. Prior to the erection of the church, several pastors administered to this people, among whom were Elders Isaac Kade, Isaac Walter and James Johnson. Since they erected the brick church, they have had the following ministers: Elder Fuson, and several who followed him whose names are now forgotten, when Elder Riley came to the charge; he was followed by Elders Griffin, Stephens and Josiah Knight. Again, after the re-organization of the church in 1860, the ministers who succeeded in charge were Rev. John Ellis. Elders T. M. Mc Whinney, Humphrey, Herrod and Chrisman. Present membership is over one hundred, with Elder Dobbins as minister and William Stillings and Milo Kimball as Deacons. This is one of the oldest churches in the county, and the church edifice, which is still in tolerably good condition, is now over half a century old. They now have preaching twice a month, and a Sunday school every Sabbath. About 1874, this society having become very large, and many members living at and in the vicinity of Milford, they erected a frame church at that village, at a cost of about $1,800, which is occupied by a branch of the old church, and services are regularly held at both places.

Gro Willen

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UNION TOWNSHIP.

SECRET SOCIETY.

Darby Lodge, No. 636, I. O. O. F., was instituted June 28, 1876, by Joseph Dowdall, P. G. M., assisted by H. P. Gravatt, with the following charter members: French Garwood, James McCloud, J. T. Johnson, A. S. Chears, George P. Monroe, J. A. Moore, S. D. Elliott, James M. Devore, William Woodworth, S. B. White, J. T. Sager, Philip Coe, Robert Gaff, Allan Reed, G. D. Mitchell and The following officers were elected: French Garwood, N. G .; James McCloud, V. G .; George P. Monroe, R. Sec .; Allen Reed, Per. Sec .; and G. D. Mitchell, Treas. The present membership (1882) is forty-five, with the following officers: J. N. Devore, N. G .; William Stillings, V. G .; E. P. Houghton, R. Sec .; M. L. White, Per. Sec .; and S. D. Elliott, Treas.

CEMETERIES.

There are several very old burial places in Union Township, as it was early settled; much sickness prevailed for many years, and the " grim messen- ger," Death, was a frequent visitor in the unpretentious cabins. Perhaps one of the first burial places was at the Wood Cemetery, situated about one and a half miles east of Milford. on the north bank of the Big Darby Creek. This was first established as a family and neighborhood burial place, where many found early and premature graves. The gravestones liere show burials to have been made as early as 1813, and it is probable there are some graves, un- marked, which received bodies at a much earlier date. Here rest many of the Woods, Reeds, Gabriels, Gills, Erwins and others of the noble and venerated pioneers. July 17, 1871, this piece of ground, consisting of 53 poles, owned by George and Josiah Reed, and 53 poles owned by Samuel Wood, making 106 poles, was, by the above-mentioned owners, deeded to the Township Trust- ees, who have fenced it in with a good board fence, and, with their succes- sors to office, are by duty bound to see that the cemetery is kept fenced and carefully preserved.

Hathaway Cemetery is located about two and a half miles southwest of Milford Center. This was donated for burial purposes by Dr. Nicholas Hatha- way, and he and his wives. the Hopkins family, the Connors, and some of the Burnhams are here interred. This is also now in care of the Trustees of the township, and will be preserved.

Teeter's or McDonald Cemetery .- This was a family burying place. It is situated about two miles northwest of Milford Center, and contains one-half acre. E. C. March now owns the farm upon which it is located. The ground was deeded to the Township Trustees by George McDonald, May 4, 1874, and is now under their care and supervision.

Milford Center Cemetery .- This is now the principal burial ground of the township. It was first used as a family and neighborhood burying place in an early day, and was then owned by George Brown, and subsequently by H. Burnham. About 1828-30, the citizens of Milford and vicinity entered upon the work of raising money by subscription to buy the small tract of land in which interments had been made. This was accomplished, and it remained thus till about 1840, when Mr. Burnham and wife deeded 15 acres of land to the Trustees of the township and their successors to office for cemetery pur- poses. In 1874, the Trustees purchased 1} acres as an addition to the above. March, 1882, they purchased about five acres more, lying on the east of the old cemetery, and inclosed the whole with a good fence; and laid it all out in lots, drives and walks. Also, in the spring of 1882, the Trustees erected a substantial stone vault. They have set out trees and shrubbery, and orna- mented the grounds till it is now a beautiful depository for the dead.

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

ROADS AND PIKES.

The citizens of Union have given liberally and even bountifully to the support of her schools; so it has been equally liberal in the construction of good gravel roads and pikes. The first great and general improvement of a road in Union Township was made under the superintendence of David Comer, in which he expended $187.50 on the road from Irwin, or the road past Esquire Irwin's and through Milford to the crossing of the Marysville road. The State Legislature had appropriated $500 to Union County for the im- provement of her roads; and the above amount. $187.50, was apportioned to Union Township by the County Commissioners, with the appointment of David Comer to expend the same. From this time forward, progress in the improvement of roads was quite rapid. In 1876, the following gravel roads were fully completed, viz. : Milford Center & Irwin, 5} miles, built in 1867, cost $22,325.93; Milford Center & Urbana, 23 miles, built in 1868, cost $4,097.50; Marysville & Milford, 53 miles, built in 1871, cost $15,364.20; Irwin & Little Darby, 12 miles, built in 1871, cost $3,516.96; Post road, three divisions, 162 miles, built in 1873, cost $29,578.37; Milford & Bridgeport, 34 miles, built in 1873, cost $7,662.91; Irwin & Woodstock, 14 miles. built in 1873, cost $2,976.45; Milford & Woodstock, 31 miles, built in 1873, cost $4.697.92; Sabine & Bigelow, 53 miles, built in 1876, cost $15,560.61; Milford & Allen' Centre, 3} miles, built in 1876, cost $5,303.65; John Connor Improved road, 23 miles, built in 1875, cost $2.752.91. Since 1876, there have been other roads graveled and improved, until now (1882) nearly all the leading lines are in good condition throughout the township.

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The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 98

Author: Durant, Pliny A. [from old catalog]; Beers, W. H., & co., Chicago, pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1254

Author: Durant, Pliny A. [from old catalog]; Beers, W. H., & co., Chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1254